thinking

adjective

: marked by use of the intellect : rational

thinking citizens

thinkingly adverb

thinkingness noun

Synonyms of thinking

• reasoning
• rational
• intelligent

Examples of thinking in a Sentence

Chess is a thinking man's game.

it's surprising to find thinking people who believe such nonsense

Recent Examples on the Web

Humor can release the writer from values of the past, along with judgment and disapproval, and instead, humor can become the very conduit for re-thinking events. —Literary Hub, 14 Nov. 2025

Nibert loved the free-thinking spirit of the village and its college. —Keith Bierygolick, Cincinnati.com, 28 Aug. 2019

Credit Gus Malzahn for being proactive and thinking long-term in choosing his starting quarterback. —Creg Stephenson | [email protected], al, 22 Aug. 2019

The quick-thinking team administrator came up with a solution – flag down a tour bus. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 25 June 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing thinking

• critical thinking
• deceive oneself into thinking
• forward-thinking
• lateral thinking
• put one's thinking cap on
• put on one's thinking cap
• thinking cap
• to someone's way of thinking
• wishful thinking

Rhymes for thinking

• blinking
• clinking
• drinking
• inking
• kinking
• linking
• shrinking
• sinking
• slinking
• stinking
• winking
• freethinking

Kids Definition

thinking

1 of 2 noun

1

: the action of using one's mind to produce thoughts

2

a

: opinion sense 1, judgment

it is, to my thinking, utter nonsense

b

: thought entry 2 sense 2

the current thinking on the subject

thinking

2 of 2 adjective

: marked by use of the power of thinking

thinking citizens